The ambassador-designate of Bhutan to the European Union, Tshoki Choden presented her credentials to the president of the European Council, yesterday.
The ambassador conveyed the warm greetings of His Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and the Chair of the Interim Government of Bhutan to the President.
A news release from the foreign affairs and external trade ministry states that the ambassador conveyed appreciation for development assistance provided by the European Union to Bhutan, and for continued reassurances to partner with Bhutan beyond LDC graduation.
The European Union is an important development partner for Bhutan. Under the Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP 2021-2027), the European Union has committed € 31 M for the first phase of MIP (2021-2024) focusing on three priority areas in Bhutan – Climate Change; Green Growth and Self-reliant Bhutan; and Digital Transition: a driver for change in education and public services delivery.
To date, Financing Agreements for “Promoting Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Agri-food Systems in Bhutan” worth € 15 M and for “Strengthening Good Governance and Digitalisation in Bhutan” worth € 9.3 M have been signed under the funds committed for the first phase.
Assistance for the remaining period of MIP 2021-2027 will be announced by the European Union after the mid-term review in 2024.
The EU first started financing development projects in Bhutan in 1982 and diplomatic relations between the EU and Bhutan were established on 9th August 1985.
